Murder! At the Halloween Hotel

This game is monstrously silly. If you're looking for something scary, this may not be the game for you.

This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will receive a link to download Murder! At the Halloween Hotel. That link is good for 24 hours after the first download. After downloading, you can print the files and play the game.

*******PLEASE NOTE*******

This game has no fancy design or illustration – that’s why it’s a low price!

- Murder! At the Halloween Hotel can be played virtually or in person. It’s up to you!

- The host can play too! The host won’t know who the murderer is. That means you can pick a character and play along with everyone else!

- For ages 12 and up.

- Playing time approximately 1- 2 hours.

- If you'd like to play music before, during, or after the game, Bearded Rat Mysteries has a Murder! At the Halloween Hotel playlist on Spotify. Just search for Bearded Rat Mysteries, or go here.

- This game comes with an optional script. Usually I would advise against using the script, but it might make things easier if you’re playing virtually. It’s up to you. The script only includes lines for the essential characters. If any optional characters are playing, they can interrupt the script to reveal their clues, or wait until the end of each round.

- Don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram @beardedratmysteries, and sign up for my newsletter to keep up with new games, sales, and giveaways! Just go to https://www.emchaffin.com/newsletter

This game is a digital file that you will download. This means as soon as your payment is confirmed, you will have the option to download Murder! At the Halloween Hotel, and then you can play the game.

This download includes:

6 Essential character handbooks, containing character background, quirks,* clues, and secrets

8 Optional character handbooks, containing character background, quirks,* at least one secret, and at least one thing to say per round

6 Spectator character handbooks, containing character name, quirks,* one secret, and one optional thing to say during the game

1 Host Guide, containing detailed instructions, tips, and hints

1 Optional script

1 list of optional costume and prop ideas

Certificates for Best Monster, Best Liar, Best Dastardly Secret, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Character Quirks

1 recipe for monster cookies

1 blank spectator character handbook, so the host can create more characters, should more than 20 characters be needed!

6 certificates, including Best Improvisor, Best Liar, Best Dastardly Plan, Best Costume, Best Accusation, and Best Character Quirks

*Character quirks are things to say and/or do throughout the game

A NOTE ABOUT SPECTATOR CHARACTERS: Spectator characters are for the players who do not want to be front and center, but still want to be part of the game. Anytime I’ve hosted a murder mystery party, a significant portion of the players SAY they want to play, but when it comes down to it, they don’t want to actively participate. That’s why spectator characters are so handy – it gives the player an option to participate with no pressure.

Murder! At the Halloween Hotel is divided into 4 rounds. During rounds 1, 2, and 3, each player will reveal the clues given to them in their handbook. During round 4, each player will guess who they think killed Fang the Werewolf. Once every player has guessed, the host will ask the murderer to confess.

***My games are conversation-based murder mystery games with elaborate storylines and characters. They’re more like games, and less like party kits. That’s why I do not have expansion packs. The storylines are a little too complicated to accommodate a plethora of extra characters. However, I do include a blank spectator character handbook in this game. If you have more players than characters, you are welcome to create your own spectator characters so that the extra players can be included. Please note that spectator characters are exactly as they sound: spectators. They have a name and optional things to say/do, but they are not active characters in the storyline.***

This game is LEVEL: FLEXIBLE

ANYONE, experienced murder mystery game players and novices alike, can enjoy all three levels of my mystery games. But in case you’re curious, here’s how I break down the three levels:

LEVEL: FLEXIBLE This level is super flexible and allows players to be involved as much or as little as they desire. It’s a great game to play as a first-time murder mystery player and can be a great get-to-know-you activity for groups of people that have yet to bond.

LEVEL: INSPECTOR The characters in this level tend to have more clues and secrets, so there’s a little more reading before each round. It’s a great game to play for everyone!

LEVEL: INTRIGUE The essential characters in this level tend to have a lot of secrets and clues. There’s more to keep track of, but that also means there’s more intrigue, more twists, and more laughs! It’s a great game to play with your friends and family, people you know really well and can really “vibe” off of, if you know what I mean.

CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS

Essential Characters:

DR. FRANKENSTEIN

Dr. Frankenstein dabbles in every scientific discipline, from chemical engineering to cadaver recreation. But really, his one true passion is his monster, Gary, a creature he created using his wits, a few odd limbs and organs, and all the love in his cold, tiny heart.

GARY, FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER

Made from the finest limbs and organs in the cemetery, Gary is Dr. Frankenstein’s most prized creation. He spends his time lounging in his evil lair, planning his evil deeds, and enjoying quality time with Dr. Frankenstein.

BROM THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN

A former Hessian soldier, Brom is as brave and bold as they come. He lost his head to a cannon ball during the Battle of White Plains, and yet he was never honored for his sacrifice – the insolence!

WINIFRED THE WITCH

Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble! Winifred is a powerful witch, renowned for her potions that can change tides, turn hearts, and freeze blood. But she came to the Halloween Hotel for one reason, and one reason only: to party!

GHASTLY THE GHOST

Ghastly is dead. That’s really all there is to it; she shimmers and shines and walks through walls, and someday, hopefully, she’ll pass on to the next life. But to do that, she must complete her unfinished business; she must fall in love.

SCARLET THE VAMPIRE

A renowned and respected vampire of the Vampire Council, Scarlet is a bloodthirsty monster of great proportions, ready and willing to drink the blood of any unsuspecting victim. She has nurtured many rivalries in her lifetime, including the vampire’s age-old nemesis, the werewolf.

Optional Characters:

MATILDA THE WITCH HUNTER

Matilda is strong, fearless, persistent, and good, which is why she chose witch hunting as her career. She doesn’t exactly belong at the Halloween Hotel, but as they say, a good witch hunter should keep her friends close, and her enemies closer.

BRIDGET THE BANSHEE

Bridget is a beautiful and terrible omen. She screams when death is near, which is why her very existence terrifies mortals – and that’s just how she likes it.

THE GRIM REAPER

The Grim Reaper is death; he is doom; he is the grave. He wasn’t invited to the party, but that’s the thing about death: it shows up uninvited.

ZED THE ZOMBIE

Zed used to be a vibrant and ambitious young man, but then he contracted the zombie virus, and now all he does is wander the earth looking for food. He’s lonely, aimless, and hungry.

CAPTAIN BLOODSTUMP THE PIRATE

Captain Bloodstump the Pirate is the terror of the seven seas! He pillages, he plunders, he destroys, he casts asunder – all while captaining his precious ship, The Bearded Rat. And although he’s not a monster, he does like to socialize with the diabolical and devious.

ELMER THE BOGEYMAN

Elmer the Bogeyman is every child’s worst nightmare. He lives under beds, in dark closets, in spooky corners, and along shadowy hallways. He hunts at night, feeding on tears, despair, and hotdogs. A murder party is everything he ever wanted!

MOLLY THE MUMMY

Molly the Mummy is a lovable and layered monster. She came to the Halloween Hotel ready and willing to dance the night away, and as far as she’s concerned, a dead wolf is no reason to stop dancing! Nothing is so bad that a monster can’t have a little fun, right?

STAN THE SWAMP MONSTER

Stan the Swamp Monster is the leader of the lowlands, ruler of the bogs, Grand Potentate of the Mires. But he’s just here for the food.

Spectator Characters:

GORDON THE GOBLIN

Gordon is a shapeshifting goblin who loves to rhyme.

OLLIE THE OGRE

Ollie is a hungry ogre who will eat LITERALLY anything.

FORTUNA THE FAE

Fortuna is a diabolical fairy who loves to dance and cannot be trusted.

IGOR THE CREEPY MINION

Igor is the strange but faithful servant of Dr. Frankenstein.

GERTRUDE THE GHOUL

Gertrude is a hungry ghoul who loves a good cemetery.

BIGFOOT

Bigfoot’s a large, hairy beast who is excited to hang out with his fellow monsters.

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